Once you upgrade your iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPad, or iPad 2 to iOS 5, you still need to configure your device to work with some of the operating system's new features and apps, plus activate the Twitter integration and iCloud functionality. Jason R. Rich explains how to handle the upgrade to iOS 5 process and then walks you through the required post-upgrade configuration.

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By now, you've probably heard all about how upgrading your iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPad, or iPad 2 to the iOS 5 operating system provides more than 200 new features, including several new apps, which come bundled with iOS 5.

Upgrade Your iPhone or iPad to iOS 5

To perform the initial upgrade to iOS 5, use the familiar iTunes Sync process. The latest version of the iTunes software (version 10.5 or later), should be running on your Mac or PC. You can download the free iTunes software from http://www.Apple.com/itunes.

Once iTunes is running on your computer, connect your iOS device using the supplied USB cable. Your iPhone or iPad will show up under the Devices heading on the left side of the iTunes screen.

In the future, you'll be able to use what Apple calls the "PC Free" feature to sync and update your iOS device wirelessly. For now, however, click the iPhone or iPad device listing that appears on the left side of the screen, so the Summary screen for your device is displayed within the main area of the iTunes screen on your computer.

As you normally would, perform an iTunes Sync to back up your device. Make sure the backup was successful before proceeding. On the iTunes screen, under the Backup heading, a message displaying the date and time of the most recent backup is displayed.

Now, found under the Version heading of the iTunes software, click the Check For Updates icon. A message will appear on the iTunes screen that states a new version of the iOS operating system (iOS 5) is available for your device. Follow the onscreen prompts to download, transfer and then install this upgrade on your iPhone or iPad.

When prompted, select the Restore From iTunes option once iOS 5 has been installed on your iPhone or iPad. By doing this, all your apps, data and personalized settings get reinstalled onto your device, which will now be running iOS 5.

If you haven't already done so, you will have the opportunity to create a free iCloud account using your existing Apple ID and password.

Once the upgrade process is complete, you can disconnect your iPhone or iPad from your primary computer and then use the Settings app to personalize the settings of your iPhone or iPad that's now running iOS 5.